04/21/2002

With no new Nintendo published games for another two months, I thought I would put together a little summary of some of the great GameCube games you can look forward to. If you haven't already seen it, there is a small list on the main page of the Ndex called, "Xander's Top 5 Most anticipated GameCube games." The included Metroid Prime, Star Fox Adventures, The Hobbit, Super Mario Sunshine, and Eternal Darkness. All of which are published by Nintendo except for The Hobbit. So, these being my most anticipated games, from 1st to 5th respectively, I thought I would give you a little insight as to why I arranged them in this order.

Perhaps the game I desire most for GameCube is Metroid Prime. Being the fourth of the Metroid Series, Metroid Prime will be the only game of the four to be played from a first person perspective. As I am a fan of FPSs (First Person Shooters), I am eagerly anticipating this game. So far, the graphics look great. From the most recent screens, a helmet borders your screen as you look out through your visor. This suggests that you are inside Samus' (the main character's) helmet and really gives you that Metroid feeling. Also cool, is when you switch to ball form. Apparently the screens sort of zooms out from your helmet as you turn into the cool ball. The graphics of the alien creatures are truly awe-inspiring, just watching those creatures move about in videos makes me drool. Personally I can't wait for this game, but with it's release date sometime in November, I have a long time to wait; why not play some classic Metroid titles in the meantime.

Links to Metroid Prime Previews:
Ndex Media
Nintendo Information Page
IgnCube News/Previews
IgnCube Screens/Videos

Next on my list is StarFox Adventures. Now this will definitely be a quality title. Having been delayed from release onto N64, StarFox Adventures promises great graphics. This game, also being part of a series, again breaks tradition and will be set mainly as a third person platformer, rather than a flight shooter. I must say, this game looks really nice. Even though it will be platform-based, StarFox Adventures will offer flight shooter levels where you can zoom about in Fox's Arwing. Rare has really gone to town on this game so you can expect it to be a very good sequel to a great series. However since the release of this game was moved from June to September, we got something of a wait ahead of us; perhaps I will play some classic Star Fox titles, or buy the newly released Star X (similar to Star Fox games), for GBA.

Links to StarFox Adventures Previews:
Ndex Media
Nintendo Information Page
IgnCube News/Previews
Rare News
Rare Videos

I would say that I am a pretty big fan of Tolkien's Books. These include the now famous motion picture, The Lord of the Rings, and the prequel to that, The Hobbit. Since the Lord of the Rings Movies are coming out every year now, many developers have decided to buy the rights to make video games of these classic novels. The Hobbit was brought to my attention, and so far, from the one screen shot, I am eagerly awaiting this game. This earned Number three on my list because I am partial to Tolkien's books. Realistically, this game would be 5th or lower on the average gamers' wish list. But I can still hope that this game is as enchanting as the book, and for now we must wait until sometime in 2003 to get our hands on this game; until then, perhaps you could read The Hobbit, and see why I can't wait for this game.

Here are some links to The Hobbit Previews:
Ndex Media
Nintendo Information Page
IgnCube News/Previews

Ah yes, Super Mario Sunshine. Surprisingly, there was no Mario title at the GameCube's launch, but it will be most definitely be worth the wait. Super Mario Sunshine is intended to be another great 3D platformer, nearly identical, in terms of gameplay, to Super Mario 64. From what I have read, Mario attempts to vacation when locals, at his fun-in-the-sun get-a-way blame him of vandalizing the city. Clearly, some no good look-alike has attempted to damage Mario's reputation. He sets about the town to clean it up (with his new water device), while at the same time, looking for the imposter behind the mischief. The shots of Super Mario Sunshine's graphics are not too great, but Nintendo has stated that they have not incorporated the new Sunshine-version textures yet, and have been using the ones from the Super Mario 64 as placeholders. Who doesn't love a Mario title? Well maybe not X-Box and PS2 fanboys, but other than that, everyone loves good ol' Mario. Therefore, no one will mind the wait for this new Mario title (August 26th, 2002); meanwhile it would be wise to brush up on your Super Mario 64 running/jumping/maneuvering skills to prepare for this new game.

Here are some links to Super Mario Sunshine Previews:
Ndex Media
Nintendo Information Page
IgnCube News/Previews

Last, but definitely not least (cliché, I know), is Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem. In fact, this game is first to be released out of the five I have mentioned. While this has constantly been compared to Resident Evil, Eternal Darkness promises to be a very original game geared towards older gamers. This game has it all, gore, violence, and chronic insanity. Perhaps the most original feature about this game is that it will include game functions that irritate you during gameplay based on your insanity metre. This may sound frustrating, but it is a unique method of creating user interaction, it is not only your character going insane, it might be you too. With promising gameplay, most gamers have Eternal Darkness of their shopping list; with sanity being a main topic, perhaps you might go insane waiting for this game, which is only two months from now (maybe that was the plan, push back the release time after time, so fans go insane).

Here are some links to Eternal Darkness Previews:
Ndex Media
Nintendo Information Page
IgnCube News/Previews

There you have an overview of what you can expect from Nintendo (and Sierra) in the coming year. Metroid Prime, Star Fox Adventures, The Hobbit, Super Mario Sunshine, and Eternal Darkness all look very promising. Come summertime, you can have your hands on two of these games, and then get the rest around Christmas. As quality titles like this are released into the market you will surely see a renewed interest in the Nintendo GameCube, but for now we must play our Smash Bros. and perhaps some Resident Evil. However, come release time, I am sure that these games will have been worth the wait.

By Xander